As the visionary founder of OzHarvest, Australia’s foremost food rescue organisation, she’s leading the charge to combat food waste and feed those in need. From her days running high-end events to becoming one of the country’s most recognised advocates for sustainability, Ronni’s story exemplifies her unwavering belief in the power of one person to create change—and the proof is in the millions of meals she’s helped deliver across the country.
In our exclusive interview, Ronni shares the moments that ignited her fight against food waste, the philosophy that fuels her work and her bold vision for a future where food waste is a thing of the past.
A Lightbulb Moment: From Events to OzHarvest
“I feel like I stumbled into this,” Ronni says when asked about the turning point that led her to shift from running an events business to founding OzHarvest. It wasn’t a grand plan or a calculated move, but rather an accumulation of experiences that pushed her toward her purpose. The turning point? A lavish event where too much food was prepared, and very little was eaten. “My people got drunk in the first five minutes,” Ronni laughs, recalling the event where guests bypassed the carefully curated feast. Left with an obscene amount of untouched food, she couldn’t bring herself to throw it all away.
This experience, paired with her growing awareness of the sheer waste created by the events industry, triggered something within her. “Food is about sharing, food is about generosity, food is about dignity and care,” she explains, her passion for the subject evident in every word. “It was unconscionable for me to throw out that amount of food.” So, she loaded it into a van and began what she humorously refers to as her “rogue food rescue life.”
What started as a rogue mission to redistribute excess food soon became the genesis of OzHarvest, an organisation that today rescues millions of kilograms of surplus food each year, redistributing it to those in need.
But it wasn’t until a visit to South Africa, where she met a woman who had helped bring electricity to a township, that Ronni realised the full potential of her mission. “That moment shifted everything for me,” she says. “I wanted to know what it felt like to have an impact on thousands, perhaps millions, of people.” And with that, the seeds of OzHarvest were firmly planted.
“We created hunger, and we have to uncreate it.”
The Fight against Food Waste
Ronni’s passion for combating food waste is deeply personal. For her, it’s not about recognition or accolades but about the impact OzHarvest has on people’s lives.
“It has nothing to do with me. It’s about what the effect of what we do is,” she says, her humility shining through. “I feel like I am a vessel through which this path has chosen to work through.”
Her spiritual connection to her work fuels her every day. “I haven’t worked for 20 years,” she says with a smile in her voice. “All I have done is been joyously gifted the opportunity to bring all of these ideas and stimulation around raising awareness.”
At the core of her mission is a simple truth: food waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, and it’s something we can all do something about.
“People don’t realise how much they waste,” Ronni explains. “We’ve lost the value of food.” Her mission is not just about feeding those in need; it’s about educating people on the broader implications of food waste. Methane emissions from rotting food in landfills, she points out, are far worse than carbon dioxide in contributing to climate change.
A shocking statistic underscores her point: 46% of all food waste comes from households. “We have to re-educate ourselves,” Ronni says. “The average household could save around $2,000 a year if they were more mindful and stopped wasting food.”
“It’s possible to be fully in alignment and have a purpose bigger than oneself that drives all of one’s actions.”
Innovation with Impact
One of OzHarvest’s most innovative initiatives is the ‘Use It Up Tape,’ a simple yet powerful tool designed to help households reduce food waste. Based on research from Monash University and behavioural scientists, the tape encourages people to prioritise using up food they already have. “It’s so effective, especially for households with young children,” Ronni explains. The idea is to label food that needs to be consumed first, preventing the common habit of opening new packages while older items go to waste.
This clever solution has been a huge success.
“It’s now in more than 100,000 households, and the research shows they’ve halved their food waste,” Ronni says proudly. For families struggling to keep food waste in check, it’s a game-changer. And for Ronni, it’s another example of how small actions can lead to significant change.
The Hunger Solutions Lab: Ending Hunger
While food rescue remains at the heart of OzHarvest’s mission, Ronni is constantly looking ahead. Her latest project, the Hunger Solutions Lab, aims to tackle hunger at its root.
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and more people are hungrier now than ever before,” she says. “I don’t want to stand here in 20 years and say we’re feeding 18 million people instead of nine.”
The Hunger Solutions Lab will be a collaborative platform, bringing together government, universities, community organisations, and corporates to break down the systemic issues that lead to hunger. “We have the resources, the brainpower—we created hunger, and we have to uncreate it,” Ronni asserts. It’s a bold vision, but if anyone can turn the tide on hunger in Australia, it’s Ronni Kahn.
The Power of Giving
For Ronni, the work she does through OzHarvest has fundamentally changed her perspective on life. “I didn’t always know that giving is so much better than getting,” she admits. Over the years, she has come to realise the immense power of community and the profound impact of aligning one’s values with one’s purpose.
“I feel like I got struck by an electric bolt,” she says, describing the clarity she’s gained through her work. “It’s possible to be fully in alignment and have a purpose bigger than oneself that drives all of one’s actions.” This sense of purpose is what keeps her going, even when the challenges seem insurmountable.
Despite the gravity of the work she does, Ronni remains an eternal optimist.
“I’m so filled with joy every day, despite the fact that the world is a mess,” she laughs. “We have the power to make a difference.”
Taking Care of the Change-Maker
Balancing such an enormous mission with personal well-being is no small feat, but Ronni has found her rhythm. “I go to Pilates at least three times a week,” she says. “I walk, I spend time with my family, and I surround myself with positive, uplifting people.”
It’s this combination of physical activity, close relationships, and a deep sense of purpose that keeps her grounded. And while she may joke about not seeing her friends as often as she’d like, there’s no doubt that Ronni Kahn is living a life fully in alignment with her values.
A Legacy of Hope and Action
As she reflects on her journey, Ronni is quick to credit the many individuals who have inspired her along the way, acknowledging the incredible individuals who have shaped her worldview.
“If I had to think about who inspires me most, it would be Nelson Mandela,” she says thoughtfully. “He was willing to die for his beliefs, and he managed to live with those beliefs—and change a nation through forgiveness.”
She also credits spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh for their teachings on selflessness and purpose. “These are individuals who live by sharing and giving. They’ve shown me what purpose and meaning can bring to life.”
Ronni also recalls Selena, the woman she met in South Africa who first ignited her desire to make an impact. “She showed me the light,” Ronni says warmly. “When we put our hands to good work, we can achieve extraordinary things.”
There’s no denying the incredible legacy Ronni is building through OzHarvest. What started as a rogue mission to redistribute leftover food has grown into a national movement, feeding millions of Australians and raising awareness about the critical issue of food waste.
Ronni’s story is a powerful reminder that change begins with a single act—and that one person, with passion and purpose, can create a ripple effect that touches the lives of millions.
Get Involved with OzHarvest
OzHarvest is on a mission to nourish Australia and combat food waste, but they can’t do it alone. Here’s how you can contribute to this vital cause and make a tangible impact in your community.
Every dollar you donate enables OzHarvest to deliver two meals to those in need. Your financial support is crucial, ensuring they can continue our efforts in rescuing surplus food and distributing it to vulnerable Australians.
If you’re connected with local businesses or individuals who have excess food, encourage them to partner with OzHarvest. Ensuring that surplus food reaches the organisation means it can find a new home with those who need it most, rather than ending up in landfill.
For those looking to lend a helping hand, there are exciting opportunities Hindmarsh, Adelaide, a special space designed to provide essential food items to people in need. This initiative thrives on the generosity of volunteers, and we are always in need of passionate individuals to join the team. Whether you can spare a few hours a week or want to engage in a larger commitment, your time can help make a difference.
The free market in Hindmarsh provides rescued produce, pantry staples and cooked meals to people in need based on a ‘take what you need, give if you can’ philosophy.
The free market in Adelaide opened in response to skyrocketing demand for food relief amidst the cost-of-living crisis. Replicating OzHarvest’s successful model in Sydney, the team rescues surplus food from local supermarkets and food businesses to keep the shelves stocked, so those in need can access nutritious food, free of charge.
Opening hours are:
- Tuesday 10am – 2pm
- Wednesday 3pm – 7pm
- Thursday 10am – 2pm
Roles during your volunteer shifts could include:
- Setup of market; filling shelves and organising food donations
- Serving market guests alongside OzHarvest staff
- Assisting to pack down at the end of the day
You can visit the market at 27 Manton St, Hindmarsh.
A Repurposed Life: Finding Purpose in Food Rescue
In A Repurposed Life, Ronni Kahn invites readers into the transformative journey that reshaped her life from a successful events entrepreneur to the passionate founder of OzHarvest. This deeply personal memoir reveals how Kahn, once confronted by the sheer volume of food waste at her events, found herself on a mission that transcended her professional world.
Midlife brought a pivotal moment when Ronni could no longer ignore the excesses of her career. Instead of turning a blind eye, she began hand-delivering untouched food to homeless shelters around Sydney—a simple act that ignited a fervent commitment to combat food waste and nourish those in need. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Kahn shares the profound lessons learned from her diverse upbringing in apartheid South Africa and a socialist commune in Israel, illustrating how these experiences shaped her unwavering belief in social justice.
As she recounts her journey, Ronni reflects on the choices that led her to discover a purpose that resonates at the core of her being. With the warmth, humour, and energy that have made her an internationally renowned keynote speaker, she explores the choices that define us and encourages readers to embrace their own passions.
A Repurposed Life is more than just a memoir; it’s a call to action for anyone seeking to live a more passionate, purposeful life. Kahn’s story serves as a reminder that, in our pursuit of meaning, even the smallest actions can lead to extraordinary change.
